Ex-Sunderland stopper Craig Gordon may never play again

Craig Gordon

FORMER Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon admits his playing days are likely to be over at the age of just 30, writes CHRIS YOUNG.

Gordon (pictured) has been without a club since being released by Sunderland last summer, with the Scotland international continuing to be plagued by the niggling knee problems which marred the final 18 months of his stint at the Stadium of Light.

Britain’s most expensive stopper, who has been working as a television pundit, caused a stir on Saturday when he was in the dug-out for Scottish Division One side Dumbarton in their clash at Livingston.

But the £9million man was not offering his services as a player, he was taking the first steps in a coaching career after admitting that he is unlikely to play competitively again.

Gordon said: “It’s very unlikely I will be playing again this season. In fact, I’m not sure if I’ll play again, so I’m looking to get into coaching as I want to remain in the game.

“I’m not ruling out playing again, but I need to get things in place if the news is not good in that respect.

“I spoke to Ian (Murray, Dumbarton manager) when we were both together at a TV studio a few weeks ago and we discussed coming in to help out.

“We agreed last week for me to come in and start things at Livingston and it may become a regular thing. I enjoyed the game and viewing it from a coach’s point of view was fascinating.”

Gordon is understood to have been offered a contract by Celtic in the summer, but any interest from the Premier League failed to materialise into a concrete move.

Bristol City were keeping tabs on the ex-Hearts man too, but Gordon declared that he wanted to ensure he was fully fit before committing himself to a contract.

But both physically and psychologically, Gordon has struggled with his fitness for two years, ever since he was diagnosed with knee tendinitis in February, 2011.

Neither a period of rest, nor an operation, cured the problem and Gordon continued to complain of discomfort last season – limited to just one appearance under Martin O’Neill before he was released at the end of his five-year contract.